[ Litigation ] as a Key Elective : Students interested in litigation should select one or more courses that provide "hands-on" training in advocacy skills. Trial lawyers in particular emphasize oral advocacy skills, and compare the ability to perform in court to an actor's ability to perform in the theater. They recommend that students interested in a trial practice seek opportunities to perform in mock trials, like the moot court competition, and seek other hands-on experience to develop confidence and flexibility in making oral arguments. A relevant externship or clinical program can also provide this experience.

General course
Description:

The major moot court activity at Stanford Law School is the Marion Rice Kirkwood Memorial Competition, which takes place each year during the Autumn and Winter terms. Autumn term will be dedicated to brief writing and completion of the written portion of the Competition; the oral portion of the Competition will be conducted during the first four weeks (approx.) of Winter term. Students on externship and in clinics may enroll if permitted by their respective programs as class attendance is not required Autumn term and students must only participate in scheduled oral arguments Winter term. Prior to the Competition itself, materials and lectures are provided on research, brief writing, and oral advocacy techniques. Registration for the Kirkwood Competition is by team. Each team is required to submit an appellate brief of substantial length and quality, and to complete at least two oral arguments, one on each side of an actual case. The first draft of the brief is reviewed and critiqued by the course instructors. The final draft of the brief is scored by the course instructors and members of the Moot Court Board. The course also offers videotaping and critiques of practice oral arguments. Panels of local attorneys and judges serve as judges who score the oral argument portion of the Competition. Teams are selected for the quarterfinal, semifinal and final round of the Competition based on their brief score and oral advocacy score. The final round of the Competition is held before a panel of distinguished judges and the entire Law School community is invited to attend. Enrollment in both the Autumn and Winter terms is required. The final grade for both the Autumn and Winter terms, and the Writing and Professional Skills credit will be awarded upon the completion of the course in the Winter Term.

Course Style: An Experiential course is one in which students undertake tasks derived from or akin to those done by practicing lawyers.